System and method for centralized control of vehicle testing

ABSTRACT

The invention is a system and method for providing vehicle testing for various performance and efficiency criteria in a controlled manner. The system includes a computer which utilizes inputs regarding the required testing to be completed to provide a testing facility and schedule a test including personnel, safety and other parameters required for completion of the test.

PRIORITY CLAIM

In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in anApplication Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, thepresent invention claims priority as a continuation application to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/836,317, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORCENTRALIZED CONTROL OF VEHICLE TESTING”, filed Jun. 9, 2022, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/208,688,entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CENTRALIZED CONTROL OF VEHICLE TESTING”,filed Jun. 9, 2021. The contents of the above referenced applicationsare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for testingmotorized and alternatively propelled vehicles, including such as cars,trucks, semi tractors and trailers, heavy equipment, utility vehicles,motorcycles, high performance vehicles, high powered vehicles and otherforms of ground based vehicles under controlled conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The testing of motorized vehicles, such as cars and trucks, is wellknown in the art. Some testing is done with computer modeling, some isdone in a lab environment such as a wind tunnel, and some is done byactually driving the vehicle on a test track or the like. Such testingcan include aerodynamics; steering, for example over steering and understeering; and braking and acceleration, for example time required toachieve a given speed and speed achieved over a given distance. Suchtesting can evaluate performance as functions of fuel type, fuel airmixtures, type and inflation of tires, track temperature and type,aerodynamic affecting accessories, coatings on the vehicle, weightdistribution, braking systems, transmission shift settings, fuelefficiency, electric vehicle range testing and efficiency, vehiclesoftware updates, and alternative fuel/propulsion sources, such asliquid propane, hydrogen fuel cells, steam powered vehicles and so on.Testing can also include regulatory compliance testing, such as EPA andDOE testing requirements, e.g., coast down testing and safety equipmenttesting.

Such testing has become very sophisticated and is desirable, for allvehicles including high-performance vehicles where only slightadvantages can make major differences, for example for racing. Otherbenefits of such testing are the ability to use both production andpre-production vehicles in a real world setting. While lab testing isdesirable, for example, dynamometer testing of engines and coupledtransmissions, lab testing may or may not be indicative of on theroad/track performance.

It is known in this art area that the faster a vehicle travels, the moreimportant control of vehicle parameters becomes. It is also known thateven with production and pre-production vehicles of all types, theability to control variables allows for fine adjustments to be made tovehicles to determine their effects.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the past, vehicle testing has been done at tracks, or test tracks,where the vehicle owner has to schedule time at such a facility andbring the needed equipment to perform the test(s). If all the equipmentis not provided by the owner or owner's team, then the test will have tobe delayed until the needed equipment is available at the test facility.Further, there is no third-party available to oversee safety protocols.Additionally, the owner or owner's team may not have the skills orequipment needed to conduct the test and/or analyze the test results toprovide information needed to properly analyze and understand the testresults.

Some of the equipment that is used in testing can be very expensive anddifficult to move and set up. The absence of such equipment cancompromise the value of the data collected, decreasing its value toachieve enhanced performance. Further, the test facility may not have,and is unlikely to have, a test track that is sufficiently long andstraight to provide valuable aerodynamic information since most testtracks are ovals with a limited length straight section.

There is thus a need for improved systems at an improved facility forthe testing of vehicles, in a controlled environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention is a system and method for providing vehicletesting for various performance and efficiency criteria in a controlledmanner. The system includes a computer which utilizes inputs regardingthe required testing to be completed to provide a testing facility andschedule a test including personnel, safety and other parametersrequired for completion of the test.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a systemfor testing vehicles outside of a testing lab facility on a track.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide such asystem with facilities to improve the efficiency and accuracy of suchtesting.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide such asystem and method that will improve data gathering and analysis of thegathered data.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with any accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained hereinconstitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, and illustrate various objects and featuresthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a vehicle performance testingfacility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The reference numeral 11 designates, generally, a vehicle performancetesting facility that has centralized control of vehicle testing. Thefacility 11 includes a track 14 that has a substantially straight andpaved section, such as concrete and/or asphalt, designated generally 15.The track 14 has a length of at least about 2 miles, and preferably atleast about 3 miles, for the substantially straight and paved section.The track 14 also includes a deceleration zone, designated generally 17;and an acceleration zone, designated generally 19. The track 11 can alsoinclude a viewing facility 21 such as a tower with an elevated viewingsection that is preferably high enough to allow a viewer to see theentire length of the track 14. It is be understood that the viewingfacility 21 can also be provided with sensors and/or recording devices,such as radar speed sensing guns and cameras, designated generally 23.Preferably, a camera is capable of recording what is viewed. The track14 can be surveyed to ensure proper calibration for timing and distancemeasurements.

The facility 11 can be provided with one or more enclosures, e. g.,buildings 31, 33. Although two buildings are shown, any suitable numbercan be provided. The buildings 31, 33 can be used to house testequipment, such as a dynamometer 35, a weight scale, a tire testingmachine and the like. The buildings 31, 33 can also be used for storingvehicles to be tested and provide work/service areas for mechanics andthe like to work on a vehicle to be tested, or that has been tested.Such a building can also be provided with a lift 37 to elevate a vehiclefor inspection and/or maintenance and/or adjustments or modifications.One of the buildings 31, 33 can also be used to store fuel and the likein a tank 39. It is to be understood that one or more tanks 39 could bepositioned on the exterior of a building. Such a building 31, 33 canalso be used to provide one or more charging locations 41 forelectrically powered vehicles. A computer facility 44 can also beprovided to house suitable computer equipment 46. The computer 46provides a centralized interface for scheduling testing, and for suchthings as data analysis, test needs, and parameters, along withassociated safety information. The computer system 46 can also be usedto receive, store and analyze information from a vehicle tester, such asa vehicle owning person or legal entity, like a corporation. Suchinformation can include information needed to schedule a test or tests,and to provide options for testing in advance of testing. The computer46 includes a processor, permanent and temporary memory, input devicesand output devices, and the ability to connect with other computers, asis known in the art.

The computer equipment 46 can be configured for connecting to thecomputers of the vehicle tester(s), either through wired or wirelessconnections, to facilitate the transfer of data between computers, andto allow data analysis and sharing between the computers.

A vehicle 51 is brought to the facility 11 after scheduling isaccomplished, as described below in any suitable manner, and can bestored in one of the buildings provided, as described above. The vehicle51 is eventually moved to the track 14 to the acceleration zone 19.While the acceleration zone 19 and the deceleration zone 17 are shown asbeing fixed at opposite ends of the track 14, it is to be understoodthat the track 14 can be used with acceleration and deceleration ineither direction, wherein the deceleration zone 17 and acceleration zone19 can be intermittently reversed from that shown. The vehicle 51 can beprovided with one or more sensors and a computer system 53 that cangather performance information, such as acceleration, deceleration, lift(front and rear), fuel consumption, horsepower and torque output, speedand the like. Markers, such as cones can be set up on the track 14 inone or more configurations, such as a FIG. 8 for multiple vehicletesting situations, such as cornering, emergency avoidance, skid pad,wet weather conditions, and the like. The gathered data can be stored inthe computer system 53 and/or transmitted wirelessly in real time to thefacility's computer system 46 as desired. Such data can be used to showfunctional relationships between the various sets of data, likehorsepower output as a function of airspeed to indicate aerodynamicefficiency for different vehicle configurations. A localanemometer/weather station 63 can be provided to provide real time windspeed and direction, humidity and barometric pressure information thatcan be entered into the computer 46 and/or computer 53. A tester (notshown) can have a personal computer (not shown) that can also be fed thedata gathered during the vehicle testing or after testing. The testercan reside in the viewing facility 21 for convenience.

Additionally, the track 14 can be provided with one or more sensors 61,such as timer components, positioned along the length of the track 14for intermittently monitoring vehicle performance through a test run byindicating when a vehicle 51 passes a given position, i.e., travels agiven distance in a measured time. Such information can be used tocalculate acceleration/deceleration. Further, one of the sensors 61 canbe a radar speed sensing system that can provide continuous speed andacceleration/deceleration data in real time, such as the InternationalMile Racing Association.

While the above describes some of the process steps in testing a vehicleon the track 14, these steps are performed during the actual performancetesting of the vehicle 51. It is to be understood that prior tocommencing a performance test, other information can be gathered andinput into one or both of the computers 46, 53 to facilitate testing andtest scheduling. The tester can access operation of the computer 46 andhave the track 14 set up for requested testing, and may allow settingthe sensors 61 automatically for desired operation. The tester can alsoensure the desired fuel is available by using the computer 46 todesignate which storage tank(s) 39 contains the desired fuel(s).Additionally, next to the storage tanks(s) 39, there are high voltageconnections available which can be used in electrical vehicleapplications. Such information can establish the type and degree oftesting needed, facilities needed, personnel needed and the like. Listedbelow are examples of such information that can be gathered and providethe tester options for what they believe is needed to perform a test.The computer 46 can also provide options for the tester based on itsprogrammed information. For example, if the anemometer 63 gives a highwind speed and/or objectionable direction, the tester can modify aproposed test run. These examples and their answers can also be used toprovide the tester with recommendations to adjust their proposed testprotocol to make it more efficient for a particular purpose. By way ofexample, the group (the tester) desiring to test the vehicle can specifyin the preliminarily gathered data the type of fuel needed and whetheror not the facility has the fuel or can obtain the fuel prior totesting. The group can also specify the particular type of test to beconducted; for example, tire safety testing can be provided and thetesting group can be given information on the location of facilities fordoing such testing, and indicate whether or not the testing group needsto bring their own equipment. The computer 46 can also be programmed topresent the tester with desired tests that are possibly beneficial, andfeedback information to the tester as to when there are available datesto conduct such testing. Below are some representative questions thatcan be provided to the tester.

-   -   1. Straight Line Aerodynamic Testing, Yes (X) No ( )    -   2. Straight Acceleration/G Force Test, Yes (X) No ( )    -   3. Straight Line Stopping Distance/G Force Test, Yes (X) No ( )    -   4. Timed Acceleration/MPH Over A Specified Distance, (X)        0.25 (X) 0.50 (X) 0.75 (X) 1.0 (X) 1.25 (X) 1.5 (X) 2.0 Mile (X)        2.3 Mile (X) 2.7 Mile, (X) 3 Mile.    -   5. Engine Mapping Over A Specified Distance, (X) 0.25 (X)        0.50 (X) 0.75 (X) 1.0 (X) 1.25 (X) 1.5 (X) 2.0 Mile (X) 2.3        Mile (X) 2.7 Mile, (X) 3 Mile.    -   6. Steady State & Torque Reactive Data Logging at Specified        Speed, Yes (X) No ( )    -   7. Dynamic Engine Load Testing, (X) Yes ( ) No    -   8. Drive Train Failure Testing, (X) Yes ( ) No    -   9. Tire Safety Testing, (X) Yes ( ) No    -   10. Tire Wear Testing, (X) Yes ( ) No    -   11. Tire Performance Grip/Compound Testing, (X) Yes ( ) No    -   12. Reduction of Coefficient of Drag Coating Test, (X) Yes ( )        No    -   13. Full Acceleration to 300 KPH Back To Full Stop Test, (X) Yes        ( ) No    -   14. Standing Mile Test, (X) Yes ( ) No    -   15. Top Speed Test, (X) Yes ( ) No    -   16. Will Your Vehicle Exceed 225 MPH (X) Yes ( ) No    -   17. Will You Do Emissions Testing (X) Yes ( ) No    -   18. Will You Do Fuel Consumption Testing (X) Yes ( ) No    -   19. Will You Require Calibration or Timing Equipment To Be        Located On the Runway (X) Yes ( ) No    -   20. Will You Report Your Test Findings To appropriate Parties        Such As OEM's, EPA or DOE, (X) Yes ( ) No    -   21. Testing Team Will Retrieve Performance Test Data from        Vehicles. This Information will be Stored and Released to the        Appropriate Parties Once Completed.    -   22. What security, if any, will the tester need?    -   23. Is any special equipment needed, e.g., foam fire-fighting        equipment?    -   24. Is certification of test needed?

Additional information can be requested of a tester to provideadditional options for a proposed test and be input into the computer46.

1. Contact and location information for test facility 11 and for thetester.

2. Tester briefing schedule.

3. Radio communication system provision setup schedule.

4. End of testing activity for each day and for total test notification.

5. Emergency Plans and Communication protocol.

6. Safety protocols by tester and testing facility.

7. Fuel spill protocol and notification protocol.

8. Fueling operation plan by tester and testing facility.

9. Is a portable generator needed and what type.

10. Type of food and food service needed.

11. Collateral information needed, e.g., certificate of insurance, holdharmless.

12. Attendee identification and nationality.

13. Aerial photography needs, if any.

14. Media coverage and identification of media personnel.

15. List of available partners of testing facility and theircapabilities.

16. Tester check in schedule and protocol.

The information from the tester can be input into the computer 46 forprocessing, and, once processing is completed, the results of theanalysis for conducting the requested testing can be transferred to thetester automatically, as to available dates for testing, what facilitiesare available at the track 14, what the tester will need to provide, andwhat the facility 11 can provide. Further, the tester can request adesired level of security, and informed of what can be made available bythe track facility. A proposed schedule for the testing each day can beprovided to the tester, along with auxiliary help availability.

The computer 46 can also be provided with additional information; forexample, fuel pricing and availability. Such information can be updatedas appropriate. If queried by the tester, the computer 46 can alsopresent such information to the tester. Such information can be madeavailable automatically to the tester. The computer 46 can be programmedto check existing scheduling, estimate the time needed for the proposedtesting, and determine when there is enough available time to conductthe proposed testing based on the answers input into the computer 46 bythe tester in response to queries such as those detailed above. Anestimated total testing fee for use of the facility 11 can also beprovided to the tester, along with an estimated fee for each componentof the total fee. The computer 46 can also be programmed to provide asub-schedule for when each test component can be done during thescheduled test dates.

An agreement can be created between a tester and the testing facility byusing an option selection method. As described above, by way of example,certain capabilities of the testing facility are presented to the testervia interconnected computers. The tester selects from the menu ofoptions what is desired, such as those listed above. If the testingfacility agrees that the options can be made available, the tester isinformed of availability, price and time slot availability. Ifacceptable to the tester, the tester can accept and scheduling isaccomplished. If a test option is not listed as available, the testercan query the testing facility 11 through the computer connection, andthe testing facility 11 can respond if such service/facility can be madeavailable and can be added to the agreement. Such arrangements mayinclude, but should not be limited to, security, portable wind tunnels,catering, sleeping facilities and the like.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification areindicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporatedby reference to the same extent as if each individual publication wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementherein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to whatis shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figuresincluded herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain theends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Theembodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein arepresently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended tobe exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which areencompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by thescope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious tothose skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for setting up the testing of variousperformance criteria of a vehicle at a testing facility comprising: acomputer including a processor, a permanent and a temporary memory, atleast one input device and at least one output device, said computerconstructed and arranged to connect with other computers forbi-directional communication, said computer providing a centralizedinterface for scheduling vehicle testing based upon selected testingparameters, the computer including information regarding facilities forvehicle testing and parameters required for completion of each vehicletest, wherein a user selects at least one testing parameter and thecomputer identifies secondary parameters for the at least one selectedtesting parameter and returns to the user a choice of facilities anddates suitable for completion of the vehicle testing, wherein thecomputer provides an associated test protocol for the vehicle test. 2.The system for setting up the testing of various performance criteria ofa vehicle at a testing facility of claim 1 wherein the computer alsoprovides safety information regarding the vehicle test, the safetyinformation varying based upon the vehicle test criteria chosen by theuser.
 3. The system for setting up the testing of various performancecriteria of a vehicle at a testing facility of claim 1 wherein thecomputer is programmed to check existing scheduling, estimate the timeneeded for the proposed testing, and determine when there is enoughavailable time to conduct the proposed testing based upon input into thecomputer by the user.
 4. The system for setting up the testing ofvarious performance criteria of a vehicle at a testing facility of claim1 wherein the computer provides an estimated total testing fee for useof each applicable facility, along with an estimated fee for eachcomponent of the total testing fee.
 5. The system for setting up thetesting of various performance criteria of a vehicle at a testingfacility of claim 3 wherein the computer is programmed to provide asub-schedule for when each test component can be completed during theavailable test dates.
 6. The system for setting up the testing ofvarious performance criteria of a vehicle at a testing facility of claim1 wherein the computer is programmed to ensure the desired type of fuelis available at the testing facility, including electrical fuel andhydrocarbon fuels.
 7. The system for setting up the testing of variousperformance criteria of a vehicle at a testing facility of claim 6wherein vehicle fueling protocols are provided to the user includingplacement of fuel at the testing facility, safety requirements, andpersonnel required to be present during fueling of the vehicle.
 8. Thesystem for setting up the testing of various performance criteria of avehicle at a testing facility of claim 1 wherein the testing parametersrequiring user input into the computer to provide a facility andscheduling of a vehicle test are selected from the group consisting of:Straight Line Aerodynamic Testing, Yes ( ) No ( ), StraightAcceleration/G Force Test, Yes ( ) No ( ), Straight Line StoppingDistance/G Force Test, Yes ( ) No ( ), Timed Acceleration/MPH Over ASpecified Distance, ( ) 0.25 ( ) 0.50 ( ) 0.75 ( ) 1.0 ( ) 1.25 ( ) 1.5( ) 2.0 Mile ( ) 2.3 Mile ( ) 2.7 Mile, ( ) 3 Mile.
 9. The system forsetting up the testing of various performance criteria of a vehicle at atesting facility of claim 1 wherein the testing parameters requiringuser input into the computer to provide a facility and scheduling of avehicle test are selected from the group consisting of: Engine MappingOver A Specified Distance, ( ) 0.25 ( ) 0.50 ( ) 0.75 ( ) 1.0 ( ) 1.25 () 1.5 ( ) 2.0 Mile ( ) 2.3 Mile ( ) 2.7 Mile, ( ) 3 Mile, Steady State &Torque Reactive Data Logging at Specified Speed, Yes ( ) No ( ), DynamicEngine Load Testing, ( ) Yes ( ) No, Drive Train Failure Testing, ( )Yes ( ) No.
 10. The system for setting up the testing of variousperformance criteria of a vehicle at a testing facility of claim 1wherein the testing parameters requiring user input into the computer toprovide a facility and scheduling of a vehicle test are selected fromthe group consisting of: Tire Safety Testing, ( ) Yes ( ) No, Tire WearTesting, ( ) Yes ( ) No, Tire Performance Grip/Compound Testing, ( ) Yes( ) No, Reduction of Coefficient of Drag Coating Test, ( ) Yes ( ) No.11. The system for setting up the testing of various performancecriteria of a vehicle at a testing facility of claim 1 wherein thetesting parameters requiring user input into the computer to provide afacility and scheduling of a vehicle test are selected from the groupconsisting of: Full Acceleration to 300 KPH Back To Full Stop Test, ( )Yes ( ) No, Standing Mile Test, ( ) Yes ( ) No, Top Speed Test, ( ) Yes( ) No, Will Vehicle Exceed 225 MPH ( ) Yes ( ) No.
 12. The system forsetting up the testing of various performance criteria of a vehicle at atesting facility of claim 1 wherein the testing parameters requiringuser input into the computer to provide a facility and scheduling of avehicle test are selected from the group consisting of: EmissionsTesting ( ) Yes ( ) No, Fuel Consumption Testing ( ) Yes ( ) No, WillYou Require Timing Equipment ( ) Yes ( ) No, Will Test Findings bereported to appropriate parties including OEM's, EPA or DOE, ( ) Yes ( )No.